Ag Climate Alliance Unveils Policy Recommendations

Cindy Zimmerman

A diverse alliance of groups representing farming, forestry, food, government and environment today unveiled a set of recommendations to guide the development of federal climate policy. The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) was formed in February 2020 by four groups that now co-chair the alliance: American Farm Bureau Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and National …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, climate, Environment

Ag and Biofuels Groups Congratulate President-Elect Biden

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Farm Bureau Federation was one of the first agricultural organizations to congratulate President-elect Biden on his election as called by news organizations over the weekend. “President-elect Biden’s term and a new Congress begin a new chapter in America’s story. Agriculture has been part of that story since the very first chapter, and we stand ready to work with …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, Ethanol, RFA

2021 American Farm Bureau Convention Goes Virtual

Cindy Zimmerman

It is starting to look like most conventions kicking off 2021 will be going virtual. The American Farm Bureau Federation announced today that its 102nd Annual Convention will be held virtually following the cancellation of all events through Jan. 31, 2021, at the San Diego Convention Center where the convention was scheduled to take place. The AFBF virtual convention will …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Beltwide Cotton, Biodiesel, Cotton, IPPE, National Biodiesel Conference, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Farm Groups Support Climate Solutions Act

Cindy Zimmerman

The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing Wednesday on the Growing Climate Solutions Act, legislation designed to break down barriers for farmers and foresters interested in participating in carbon markets so they can be rewarded for climate-smart practices. The bill has the support of numerous agribusinesses and farm organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, and …

AFBF, Audio, Environment

Farm Groups Launch Free Stress Management Course

Cindy Zimmerman

Farm Credit, American Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union today announced the launch of a farm stress management online training course available for the general public. Developed by Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension) and University of Illinois Extension (Illinois Extension), the course will help farmers, their families and neighbors identify and cope with stress. It provides participants the skills …

AFBF, Audio, Farm Credit, Farming

Farm & Biofuel Groups Challenge Retroactive RFS Waivers

Cindy Zimmerman

Nine leading biofuel and farm organizations sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler Tuesday asking him for answers on what is seen as a new effort to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). During a Senate hearing last month, administration officials confirmed their consideration of retroactive small refinery exemptions (SREs) covering previous years. The “gap-filings” are …

ACE, AFBF, Ag Groups, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol, RFA

Farmfest and Dakotafest Canceled for 2020

Cindy Zimmerman

Both the Minnesota Farmfest and Dakotafest have been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. IDEAg Group LLC., which is owned by American Farm Bureau Federation, made the decision to cancel with great disappointment according to AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We understand the impact this has on the ag community, but simply put, it is the right decision to …

AFBF, Farm Shows

President Trump Announces Direct Assistance to Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

President Donald Trump Tuesday announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. “These payments will compensate farmers for losses related to the global pandemic caused by China,” said President Trump, who was joined making the announcement …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, NCBA

Analysis Shows U.S. Agriculture Reducing Emissions

Cindy Zimmerman

American agriculture is more environmentally sustainably than ever. A new analysis of updated data from both USDA and EPA shows U.S. farmers and ranchers continue to reduce per-unit greenhouse gas emissions. All told, the U.S. agricultural sector accounts for less than 10% of total U.S. emissions. That’s less than the emissions from the transportation, electricity generation and industrial sectors. Globally, …

AFBF, Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Animal Agriculture, Sustainability

President Trump Says Help for Farmers Coming Soon

Cindy Zimmerman

During the daily White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing on Thursday, President Donald Trump said help for hurting farmers is coming soon. “We have money going out to our farmers in the pretty near future,” said President Trump. “The farmers got hurt very badly by all of this. People are eating less from the standpoint that there’s no restaurants that …

AFBF, Audio, Farming, Food